PilGram Sheilah Siminuk talks about her shrine

By Jessica Cassyle Carr

It’s one thing to know and possess all of the music of your favorite artist, and quite another to light candles for him each night. There are fans, and then there are fans. In early March when I introduced the Music Chambers column, I tried to entice readers to show me spaces in homes that are devoted to music, asking unseriously, “Is there a shrine to Gram Parsons tucked away in your attic?” About six weeks later, photos of just that—a bona fide Gram Parsons shrine—materialized in my inbox. Ask and ye shall receive!

Mike Giant is a visionary tattoo and graffiti artist who, although born in Upstate New York, grew up in Albuquerque. On Sunday, June 10, the San Francisco-based Giant makes an appearance in Downtown Albuquerque at the Blackbird Buvette (509 Central NW). He’s presenting a tea party for his zine, “The Skullz Press.” There will be art for sale, giveaways from his apparel and skateboard company, Rebel8, and ambience provided by Austin-based DJ Daze. The free, 21-and-over party happens from 3 to 7 p.m.

Sinbad • stand-up comedy

By Joshua Lee

In the '90s there was a rumor that movie star and stand up comedian Sinbad bought an entire windbreaker factory just to appease his signature look. It was also rumored that he could stand in gale force winds without even feeling a breeze. These days, you're less likely to spot him sporting his classic look, but it just goes to show that you don't need a pair of genie pants to be the funniest person in the room. See the legend…

Queensrÿche • progressive metal • Fates Warning

By Constance Moss

Queensrÿche and Fates Warning are widely considered titans of the progressive rock world. As part of a metal monarchy, both bands are known for the intricate musical tapestries they weave with odd time signatures, multi-octave ranges and concept albums featuring complex lyrical themes. You can ride this heavy comet at the Historic El Rey Theater this Saturday night, March 23, when 'Rÿche and Fates hold court. The doors open at 7pm, show at 8. Tickets are $25 in advance. This is an all-ages show. Bring the heirs of your empire for a history lesson about a time when Vikings ruled the world and metal was melodic.

The Whiskey Sisters are back for their quarterly show for spring, bringing more newcomers to Albuquerque and to the Sister stage. In their 50/50 burlesque and variety show, the only Sunday show of the year on March 24 brings headliner Di'Lovely of San Diego, who has competed for the prestigious title of Reigning Queen of Burlesque multiple times at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. Appearing in Albuquerque for the first time is classic burlesquer and featured performer, Delta Rae Dixon from Salt Lake City. Flora, Fauna and F*ckery also brings the magic of Bryan Lambe, the comedy and b-boy stylings of Zach Abeyta, vocal talents of Judith Mondragon, drag from Tomahawk Martini and all the A-list local burlesque you can drool over. Host Jessica Stone DeLorean takes you on a wild and colorful ride with doors at 7pm, the show at 8 and a cost of $12 for a 21 and over crowd. Go forth and enjoy the f*ckery.

Wayne Hancock • country, Western, blues

By August March

Ameripolitan—or juke joint-swing as the genre is known by some Tejanos—advocate extraordinaire Wayne Hancock descends loudly and lovingly onto the stage at Inside Out on Tuesday, March 26. Wayne “The Train” Hancock has been startling audiences, beating up boots and brandishing a guitar since he was a young one; his affinity for finding, deconstructing and then delivering honestly raw and rambunctious roots music is without equal in the land of hillbilly-backed, Grand Ole Opry-certified swinging sounds. As the artist himself puts it, “Man, I'm like a stab wound in the fabric of country music in Nashville. See that bloodstain slowly spreading? That's me.” Entrance to this rodeo-like environment of sights and sounds will run typical 21+ listeners $12 in advance and $15 at the door; the curtain rises on America's representative at 9pm. It'll be better than season one of “Hee-Haw!”